Goosebumps.

Arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time.  Even though I was way to young to ever see this man play one of my favorite sports, from what I have heard this guy could just straight out ball.  Eleven Championships in thirteen years of play with five MVP awards and a twelve time All-Star as well, Russell defines success and puts today's athletes to shame.

Bill Russell has left a strong impact with the NBA, but an even stronger one with the prestigious Boston Celtics.  He is just one of those historical figures that defines Boston sports in general and his humble ways have inspired many more than he will ever know.  The art of the shot block was molded by Russell and I am constantly reminded by that from my grandfather who lives for the old school.

I was watching "Jim Rome is Burning" recently on ESPN and caught a feature segment of Rome interviewing the Celtic great.  The constantly unselfish Russell just makes me appreciate being a huge Celtics fanatic and gives a history lesson to all those bandwagon jumpers after the acquistion of Ray Allen and KG.

Rome is in the middle of his end of interview review of Bill Russell... 

-Rome: "We're talking to Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Russell, and the book..."
-Russell cuts off Rome: "Jim Rome."
-Rome: "Yes?"
-Russell: "I apologize for interrupting you. Can you do me a favor?"
-Rome: "Absolutely. What is it?"
-Russell: "When you introduce me, can you please refer to me as the former captain of the Boston Celtics? That means way more to me then any Hall of Fame or other personal title. That was the most important thing for me."

The huge thud that occured right after this clip was my jaw hitting the ground once again.  Russell goes from saying of how good of friends he was with coaching master, Red Auerbach and how there is now a "vacuum" inside him from what he is missing from Auerbach to correcting Rome in a goosebump provoking way.  I do not know why I was amazed to hear this from a Renaissance Man in terms of Russell, but from watching recent NBA playoff action, it shows how far ahead he is beyond these active "stars."  It makes me sick to my stomach now watching the extra flashy Cleveland Lebron James's as I think they are referred to act as cocky as they do.  I do know they are crushing some slightly above average talent in their first two rounds of play and they have the mean force of James, but what have the accomplished yet?....First Seed in the East and the NBA MVP, yes that is all nice and cool, but it's all about winning in professional sports and they have yet to hoist the title in this Lebron era.  I do respect his game and what he has done at such a young age, but Russell just embarrasses guys like this with his humble statements and pro-Boston comments.  NBA history class is in session and Bill Russell is running the school.